Arturo Sarukhan, a diplomat who first proposed the idea of a joint Mexico-United States bid in 2010 when he was Mexico's ambassador in Washington, said he believed at the time it would show how Mexico's relationship with the United States "had changed and matured". Plus, the renovated Hard Rock Stadium looks like it was created to host worldwide soccer. "However, those assurances were not addressed". Local leaders Chiefs President Mark Donovan, Sporting Kansas City President and CEO Jake Reid, Mayor Sly James of Kansas City, Mo., and Mayor David Alvey of Kansas City, Kan., are hosting a news conference, and may discuss the possibility that the Kansas City metro could host a match.

Talking about the legacy soccer - or football, depending on where you hail from in the world - Herdman says the sport brings people together in a community.

The news was met with excitement throughout the country.

However, in a show of sportmanship, Morocco have wished the North American countries well as they prepare to host the world in eight years time. "It's a great day for the game and for all three countries", Lalas said. "Tomorrow this dream comes true".

"Today, I'm 17 years old and I play for the (Canadian) men's national team". He was born in Ghana in a refugee camp.

The highest scoring game in World Cup history was in 1954, when Austria defeated Switzerland 7-5. Matches in Mexico will be played in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara; games in Canada will be played in Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton, according to Pro Soccer Talk.

The three countries saw off a bid from Morocco, a North African countries was their only rival in the bid. Morocco had been a late entrant to the 2026 race and its projected profits were half of the United States bid.

Mexico has twice hosted the World Cup, in 1970 and 1986.

All seven cuts will come from the USA finalists.

The other African defectors were Benin, Botswana, the Cape Verde Islands, Lesotho, Liberia, Namibia and Sierra Leone and, although mathematically their loss was not decisive, the prospect of a failure to get Africa solidly behind Morocco's bid did damage its cause, officials added. The top two teams from each group will advance to a 32-team, tournament style knockout round.